Crane structure

ABSTRACT

A crane structure in which a main crane frame moves along stationary elongated rails while a carriage is moveable laterally on the main frame of the crane. The carriage has mounted thereon a subcarriage, or carrier which can turn clockwise and counterclockwise on the carriage on a vertical axis, and suspended from the carrier by cables is a load unit, or load frame, in which winches are mounted to which the cables are attached. The load unit comprises load engaging means such as a hook for picking up loads. The load unit containing the winches and supporting the hook is adapted for being lowered to the floor for servicing of the winches and the drive motors therefor, and the like. Power means are provided for causing the subcarriage, or carrier, to rotate, or turn clockwise and counterclockwise, on the carriage to locate the load unit in the proper angular position.

O United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,887,080 Wilson June 3, 1975 CRANE STRUCTURE 57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Ray Wilson, RR. No. 1, Box 102,

West Alexandria, Ohio 45381 A crane structure in which a main crane frame moves along stationary elongated rails while a carriage is [22] Flled' June 1973 moveable laterally on the main frame of the crane. 211 App] 374 924 The carriage has mounted thereon a subcarriage or carrier which can turn clockwise and counterclockwise on the carriage on a vertical axis, and suspended U-S. Cl. from the carrier cabies is a load unit, or load frame B66 06 in which winches are mounted to which the cables are t 2C1 attached. The load unit comprises load g g g [58] new of Search 12/1 28 3b 8 means such as a hook for picking up loads. The load 212/1 unit containing the winches and supporting the hook is adapted for being lowered to the floor for servicing of [56] References cued the winches and the drive motors therefor, and the UNITED STATES PATENTS ]i1 516,343 3/1894 Blake et a] l87/2Z Power means are provided for causing e 655,367 8/1900 Morgan et a1. subcarriage, or carrier, to rotate, or turn clockwise gzgg g 187/27 and counterclockwise, on the carriage to locate the Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner.leffrey V. Nase Attorney, Agent, or FirmWalter Becker load unit in the proper angular position.

14 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATH-mm 3 1975 8887.080

PNEI'HEDJUEE 3 1915 3.887 080 SHEET 1 CRANE STRUCTURE The present invention relates to cranes and is particularly concerned with a crane arrangement in which the power driven winch arrangements for elevating a load are carried in a load frame, or load unit, arrangement that is suspended by the load cables from the crane carriage so that the load frame carrying the winches can be lowered completely to the floor for servicing the winches and the drive motor, or motors therefor.

Cranes are, of course, well known, but heretofore have always had the power driven winch arrangements mounted in the carriages, or trolley, which moves along the main frame of the crane. This positions the winches and the drive motors therefor in a location that is relatively inaccessible so that maintenance and servicing thereof has always been somewhat difficult.

With the foregoing in mind. the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a crane structure which is easy to service.

Another object is the provision of a crane structure in which the winches and the drive therefor can readily be serviced.

Still another object is the provision of a crane structure in which the winches of the crane and the drive therefor can be lowered to floor level for inspection, servicing, and maintenance.

The foregoing objects of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reference to the following detailed specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, somewhat schematic, showing one crane arrangement according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view indicated by line IIII in FIG. 1 and drawn at somewhat enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view indicated by line IIIIII in FIG. 1 and drawn at somewhat enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a modification.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view indicated by line VV in FIG. 4, and drawn at enlarged scale.

FIG. 6 shows a modification.

FIG. 7 shows a modification pertaining to the trolley support.

FIG. 8 shows how the load hook can be held against rotation.

FIG. 9 shows a wiring diagram.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a modification.

FIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 10 but showing still another modification.

FIG. 12 is a transverse section showing a modification.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary section showing a still further modification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a crane structure is provided having a main crane frame moveable on stationary rails and a crane carriage or trolley moveable along the main crane frame. Mounted on the trolley or carriage is a subcarriage or carrier and from which a load frame, or load unit. is suspended by load cables and having load engaging means thereon. The carrier can turn clockwise and counterclockwise about a vertical axis on the trolley. According to the present invention, the load winches are mounted in the load frame together with the drive therefor so that this portion of the crane structure can be lowered to floor level at any time that servicing is required.

The main crane frame is power driven on the main stationary rails and the crane trolley is power driven along the main frame of the crane and the subcarriage or carrier is reversibly driven in rotation on the train trolley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings more in detail, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates one of a pair of elongated parallel rails which are stationarily supported as by building walls 12.

Supported on rails 10 is a main crane carriage 14 which includes support rollers 16 engaging the elongated main rails 10. One, or more, of rollers 16 is driven for moving the main crane 14 along rails 10 in a more or less conventional manner. Frame 14 is itself in the form of elongated rails extending perpendicularly to the rails 10 and mounted on the rails of the main frame 14 is a crane carriage 18 which has rollers 20 engaging the main frame 14 with one, or more, of these rollers being reversibly driven by a motor 22.

The motor 22 can be either electric or hydraulic, as desired, and by driving one or more of the rollers 20, carriage 18 can be caused to take any desired position along the main frame 14, while main frame 14 can take any desired position along rails 10.

Mounted on carriage 18 is circular track 24 which is fixed thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding. Circular track 24 is adequately strong and is so supported on carriage 18 that it can sustain the loads for which the crane is designed. Rotatable on circular track 24 is a subcarriage, or carrier, 26 supported on track 24, as by rollers 28. One or more of the rollers 28 is adapted for being driven as by a motor 30 connected thereto, and which may be an electric or hydraulic motor, as desired. The provision of a drive for one or more of rollers 28 provides for rotating carriage or carrier 26 to any desired angular position on track 24.

Mounted in carriage or carrier 26 are shafts 32 and 34 which carry respective pulleys 36, 38, on shaft 32 and 40, 42 on shaft 34.

Vertically beneath frame or carriage 26 is a further load frame 44 in which is mounted a pair of winch drums 46 and 48. These drums are geared together as by gearing 50 and are adapted for being driven in counter-rotation by a reversible motor 52 which may be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. Each winch drum has cables connected thereto which extend upwardly and about the pulleys in rotary carriage 26 and then back down to frame 44 for connection therewtih. For example, winch drum 46 has connected thereto cables 54 and 56 which pass upwardly and about pulleys 36, 38, respectively, and back downwardly for connection to points 58 and 60, respectively, on load frame, or load unit, 44.

Similarly, winch drum 48 has connected thereto cables 62 and 64 which pass upwardly and about pulleys 40 and 42, respectively, and then back downwardly to frame 44 to be fixedly connected thereto at points 66 and 68, respectively. Depending from the bottom of frame 44 is a load engaging member which may be in the form of a hook 70.

FIG. 2 shows how motor 30 may be connected to carriage or carrier 26 for driving a roller 28 which rests on the circular track 24 fixedto the top of the frame of carriage 18.

FIG. 3 shows how shaft 32 can be journalled in a bearing 72 fixed to the inside of rotary carriage 26 so that the pulley 38 is supported for sustaining the stresses imposed on the cable 64 entrained thereabout. Each pulley on shafts 32 and 34 is adjacent a respective bearing 72 and thereby the load on the cables entrained over the pulleys is transmitted to the frame of the rotary carriage 26 closely adjacent the said frame.

In the arrangement of FIG. 4, a carriage 80 is provided having wheels, or rollers, 82 adapted for resting on the frame of the main carriage of the crane for movement therealong. In the FIG. 4 modification, the carriage includes a supporting arrangement for a vertical shaft 84. The supporting arrangement may comprise a solid plate or it may comprise any other suitable supporting structure. In the particular modification illustrated, the top of carriage 80 is in the form of a heavy plate 86. Upstanding from the top of heavy plate 86 in about the center is a sleeve member 88 within which is mounted heavy duty thrust bearing 90. The shaft 84 is fixed to the thrust bearings in load transmitting relation thereto by a nut or other connecting device 92. On the underside of plate 86 shaft 84 is connected to a rotary carriage 94 which has circumferentially distributed wheels 96 thereon engaging the bottom of plate 86 thereby to prevent tilting of rotary carriage 94 relative to the plate. The provision of rollers 96 prevents shaft 84 from being bent and stressed laterally and insures that the load on thrust bearing 90 will always be in the vertical, or axial, direction.

Connected to space points about rotary carriage 90 are cables 98, 100, 102 and 104. Cables 98 and 100 lead downwardly and are connected to a winch drum 106 rotatable in a load frame 108. Similarly, cables 102 and 104 lead downwardly and are connected to a second winch drum 110 in frame 108.

The winch drums 106 and 110 are connected by gearing 112 for counterrotation and a motor, either electric or hydraulic, indicated at 114, is drivingly connected to the gearing.

Advantageously, a load hook, or the like, 116, is secured to and dependant from load frame 108.

The aforementioned shaft 84 will be seen in FIG. to have a worm wheel 118 fixed thereto above the top of plate 86 and meshing with a worm 120 driven by a reversible motor 122 carried on a bracket 124 mounted on top of plate 86.

The entire structure of the rotatable carriage 94 and the shaft 84 and the thrust bearing 90 and plate 86 is such that all rated loads that might be placed on load hook 116 are adequately supported by the aforementioned structure.

FIG. 6 shows a modification in which the carrier or carriage 120 is rotatably supported on the trolley of the crane structure as by rollers 122, two of which may be reversibly driven as by the reversible motors 124 and 126. Carriage 120 has a support member 128 fixed thereto on which is mounted bearing members 130 and 132. Bearing member 130 carries a shaft 134 on the opposite ends of which are mounted the pulleys 136 and 138.

Similarly, bearing member 132 carries a shaft 140 which has on the opposite ends the pulleys 142 and 144. Beneath the carriage 120 is a load frame having a lower winch member 152 and directly thereabove an upper winch member 154. The winch members are interconnected by a gearing 156 and are reversibly driven for counterrotation by a motor 158. A first cable 160 has its opposite ends connected to winch member 152 and is entrained over pulley 136. A second cable 162 is also connected to winch member 152 and is entrained over pulley 142.

A still further cable member 164 has its ends connected to winch member 154 and is entrained over pulley 138 and still another cable member 166 has its ends connected to winch member 154 and is entrained over pulley 144. The described arrangement gives a uniform load distribution when the winch members are operated to lift the load and which may be suspended on the load hook 168 dependent from the bottom of frame 150.

The hook member, as will be seen in FIG. 8, is advantageously provided with a latching arrangement for preventing rotation thereof on frame 150, said latching arrangement taking the form of a pin 170 removably mounted in frame 150 and engaging an arm element 172 fixed to hood 168.

FIG. 7 shows a modified manner in which the trolley can be supported on the main frame of the crane. In FIG. 7, which is a fragmentary view, reference numeral indicates a rail of the main crane frame and reference numeral 182 generally indicates the trolley of the crane. In the modification of FIG. 7, the support rollers for the trolley are arranged in pairs, one roller 184 rolling on the inside of the rail 180 and the other roller 186 rolling on the outside thereof. By this arrangement, twisting of the main frame of the crane is prevented due to heavy loads imposed on the crane trolley.

A pair of the inner rollers 184 may be interconncted by a shaft 188 on which is mounted a gear 190 driven by the pinion 192 on the output shaft of a reversible motor 194.

While the carrier, or subcarrige, has been referred to as being rotatably supported on the trolley, it will be understood that the carrier, in fact, turns clockwise and counterclockwise from a rest position, thereby simplifying the connection of wires to motors pertaining thereto. FIG. 9 schematically illustrates one way in which the crane arrangement can be provided with electric power. In FIG. 9, all of the parts of the crane are shown quite schematically with 200 representing the main crane frame, 202 representing the crane trolley and 204 indicating the carrier or subcarriage oscillatably mounted on the trolley. Carried either on the main crane frame or on the trolley is a cab 206 for the crane operator.

Power is supplied to the crane by power lines L1, L2 and L3 on which slippers generally indicated at 208 slide and which slippers are connected to the main crane frame. These slippers are connected to wires Lla, L2a and L3a carried by the main frame of the crane and extending longitudinally thereof. Further slippers generally indicated at 210 and carried by crane trolley 202 slidably engage the lines Lla, L2a and L3a. These last mentioned slippers are connected by a cable 212 with cab 206 and in the cab are connected to controllers generally indicated at 214.

From the controllers, a further cable 216 returns to the crane trolley for connection to motors pertaining thereto. The main crane of the frame may also carry longitudinally extending lines Llb, L212 and L312 which may be engaged by further slippers generally indicated at 218 and which are connected by a cable 220 with at least some of the wires in cable 216. Wires. Llb, L2 and L3b may be connected in circuit with the main drive motors for the crane frame. In the manner described above, connections can easily be made to all of the electrical components of the crane structure.

FIGS. through 13 schematically illustrate modified arrangements. In FIG. 10, 300 is the main crane frame and 302 is a trolley moveable therealong. Trolley 302 has mounted therein suspended beneath the top a circular track 304 on which a carriage 306 is rotatable. Carriage 306 has a transverse bar 308 fixed therein from which are suspended pulleys 310 about which are entrained cables 312 and 314 that lead downwardly to a motor driven drum 316 carried on top of cab 318. Pressure drum 320 is rotatable on trolley 302 and leading therefrom is a hose 322 that extends downwardly to a controller 324 in the cab. Hose 322 could be an electric cable.

Another pressure drum 325 is rotatable in the structure on top of the cab and is supplied with hydraulic pressure by a motor driven pump 326. The hose 328 is connected to drum 325 and leads therefrom.

FIG. 12 shows an arrangement in which trolley frame 340 has a circular track 342 therein on which is rotatably mounted a carriage 344 suspended beneath which is a motor driven cable drum 346 having cables 348 connected thereto and leading downwardly to a load hook structure 350.

In FIG. 11, trolley 370 has a heavy plate 372 mounted thereon and suspended therebeneath is a car riage or carrier member 374 constructed and arranged similarly to the carriage shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Pulleys suspended beneath the carriage and cables 376 connected thereto leading downwardly to a cable drum 378 which is reversibly driven by a motor 380. Cable drum 378 is mounted in a load frame that includes a load hook 382 adapted for engaging the bail 384 of a ladle 386.

Ladle 386 is adapted for being turned by a fluid motor 388 while the stopper 390 of the ladle is adapted for actuation by a fluid motor 392 to move the ladle upside down to dispose of unwanted material. Hoses lead from the fluid motors to a rotatable pressure drum 394 to which fluid under pressure is supplied by a motor driven pump 396. The valve and the controls therefor to control the operation of the fluid motors are not illustrated.

In FIG. 13 member 400 represents the trolley which is moveably supported on the main crane frame while suspended therebeneath is a circular track 402 supportingly held on the trolley as by brackets 404, one only of which is shown in FIG. 13.

The various actuating motors and controls and the like employed in the modifications of FIGS. 10 to 13 have not been specifically described and designated because they correspond to such motors and controls previously described in respect of the other modifications.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a crane structure having a main frame moveable along stationary rails in one direction and a trolley moveable along the main frame in another direction; a load frame, drum means rotatable in said load frame, cable means connected to said drum means and leading upwardly therefrom, a carrier member adjacent said trolley, first means connecting said cable means to said carrier member in load transmitting relation thereto, and second means rotatably supporting said carrier member on said trolley, said second means being disposed beneath the top of said trolley and fixedly connected thereto.

2. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said drum means comprises a pair of drums in horizontally spaced parallel relation in said load frame, motor means for driving said drums in rotation, said cable means comprising a pair of cables connected to each drum and connected in load transmitting relation to spaced points of said carrier member thereby providing for distributed support of said load member.

3. A crane structure according to claim 2 in which said first means comprises a pulley rotatable on said carrier member for each cable, each cable leading from the respective drum upwardly to the pertaining pulley and over the pertaining pulley and then back down to a point of connection on said load frame.

4. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which each said cable is fixedly connected to said carrier member and leads downwardly therefrom to the respective drum.

5. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a circular track on said carrier member and rollers distributed circumferentially on said carrier member and engaging said track.

6. A crane structure according to claim 5 which includes reversible motor means drivingly connected to at least one of said rollers.

7. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a vertical shaft fixed to said carrier member and supported for rotation by said member.

8. A crane structure according to claim 7 in which said carrier member comprises a horizontal plate element through which said shaft extends and which is disposed immediately above s'aid carrier member, and roller means in circumferentially distributed relation on the carrier member engaging the underside of said plate element in a region spaced radially from the axis of said shaft and supporting said carrier member against tilting relative to said plate element.

9. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a vertical shaft fixed to said carrier member, a thrust bearing on said carrier member supporting said shaft, and reversible motor means drivingly connected to said shaft for driving the shaft in rotation in the carrier member.

10. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said second means is a circular track disposed beneath said trolley, and bracket means connecting said circular track to said trolley and supporting the track on said trolley, said carrier member having roller means engaging said track. 1

11. A crane structure according to claim 10 which includes a motor driven cable drum rotatably supported by said carrier member and cables leading downwardly therefrom for engagement with a load.

12. A crane structure in combination according to claim 1 in which said main frame includes beams forming the rails on which the trolley is supported, said trolley having pairs of rollers thereon with the rollers of each pair engaging opposite sides of a respective one of said beams, and at least one of the said rollers being reversibly driven for moving said trolley along said main frame.

13. A crane structure in combination according to claim 1 in which said main frame comprises spaced rails, and rollers on said trolley engaging said rails, said rollers comprising pairs of rollers, one roller of each pair engaging one side of a respective rail of said main frame and the other roller of each pair engaging the other side of the respective rail.

14. In a crane structure having a main frame moveable along stationary rails in one direction and a trolley moveable along the main frame in another direction; a load frame, drum means rotatable in said load frame, cable means connected to said drum means and leading upwardly therefrom, a carrier member adjacent said trolley, first means connecting said cable means to said carrier member in load transmitting relation thereto, and second means rotatably supporting said carrier member on said trolley, said second means being disposed beneath the top of said trolley and fixedly connected thereto, pulleys on said carrier member, cables leading downwardly from said pulleys, an operators cab structure, and a rotatable cable drum on top of the cab structure engaging said cables. 

1. In a crane structure having a main frame moveable along stationary rails in one direction and a trolley moveable along the main frame in another direction; a load frame, drum means rotatable in said load frame, cable means connected to said drum means and leading upwardly therefrom, a carrier member adjacent said trolley, first means connecting said cable means to said carrier member in load transmitting relation thereto, and second means rotatably supporting said carrier member on said trolley, said second means being disposed beneath the top of said trolley and fixedly connected thereto.
 1. In a crane structure having a main frame moveable along stationary rails in one direction and a trolley moveable along the main frame in another direction; a load frame, drum means rotatable in said load frame, cable means connected to said drum means and leading upwardly therefrom, a carrier member adjacent said trolley, first means connecting said cable means to said carrier member in load transmitting relation thereto, and second means rotatably supporting said carrier member on said trolley, said second means being disposed beneath the top of said trolley and fixedly connected thereto.
 2. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said drum means comprises a pair of drums in horizontally spaced parallel relation in said load frame, motor means for driving said drums in rotation, said cable means comprising a pair of cables connected to each drum and connected in load transmitting relation to spaced points of said carrier member thereby providing for distributed support of said load member.
 3. A crane structure according to claim 2 in which said first means comprises a pulley rotatable on said carrier member for each cable, each cable leading from the respective drum upwardly to the pertaining pulley and over the pertaining pulley and then back down to a point of connection on said load frame.
 4. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which each said cable is fixedly connected to said carrier member and leads downwardly therefrom to the respective drum.
 5. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a circular track on said carrier member and rollers distributed circumferentially on said carrier member and engaging said track.
 6. A crane structure according to claim 5 which includes reversible motor means drivingly connected to at least one of said rollers.
 7. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a vertical shaft fixed to said carrier member and supported for rotation by said member.
 8. A crane structure according to claim 7 in which said carrier member comprises a horizontal plate element through which said shaft extends and which is disposed immediately above said carrier member, and roller means in circumferentially distributed relation on the carrier member engaginG the underside of said plate element in a region spaced radially from the axis of said shaft and supporting said carrier member against tilting relative to said plate element.
 9. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a vertical shaft fixed to said carrier member, a thrust bearing on said carrier member supporting said shaft, and reversible motor means drivingly connected to said shaft for driving the shaft in rotation in the carrier member.
 10. A crane structure according to claim 1 in which said second means is a circular track disposed beneath said trolley, and bracket means connecting said circular track to said trolley and supporting the track on said trolley, said carrier member having roller means engaging said track. l
 11. A crane structure according to claim 10 which includes a motor driven cable drum rotatably supported by said carrier member and cables leading downwardly therefrom for engagement with a load.
 12. A crane structure in combination according to claim 1 in which said main frame includes beams forming the rails on which the trolley is supported, said trolley having pairs of rollers thereon with the rollers of each pair engaging opposite sides of a respective one of said beams, and at least one of the said rollers being reversibly driven for moving said trolley along said main frame.
 13. A crane structure in combination according to claim 1 in which said main frame comprises spaced rails, and rollers on said trolley engaging said rails, said rollers comprising pairs of rollers, one roller of each pair engaging one side of a respective rail of said main frame and the other roller of each pair engaging the other side of the respective rail. 